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A Few Suggestions 

Respectfully Submitted to the 



D 



H 



,0PLE OF Texas, 



HER 



State and Railroad DllicmlB 



As well as to those who have interests here and 

may contemplate making this State their 

FUTURE HOME, and to all in genera! 

who may be in search of 

Homes i' and iPrDlitahleidnvBStmBntE, 



DEC 311887 X/ 



A CITIZEN OF TEXAS. 



^ TKXAS ^ 

December 20, 1887. 



NOTE. 

It is respectfully suggested and 
earnestly requested that the reader 
will, if time will permit, read all of 
this little pamphlet, and not, as is 
often the case, pick out what may suit 
his taste and endorse it, and, perhaps, 
condemn the balance, or, on the other 
hand, chance to read a paragraph that 
he does not endorse and then con- 
demn all. Perhaps it would be well 
to read and consider both sides. 






(3j 

Suggestion No. 1. 

Speaking of railroads, it has often been asked . 
" What would State or people be without rail- 
roads?" Very true. It is also said, and believed 
by many : *' What would railroads be without 
people and State? " Perhaps "honors are easy" 
on this score. 

No. 2. 

Individuals, and especially capitalists, seldom 
act solely for sentiment or public spirit. As a 
rule it is business, yes, for cold business purposes. 
Did not the State of Texas offer to the capitalists 
a good field for investment, we would to-day be 
without railroads and many other good things 
which we now have. 

No. 3. 

The old saying that " a cat can look at a king " 
leads us to remark that a poor man, '* a man of 
the people " and one uneducated, might, perhaps, 
suggest a thought that the wealthy and educated, 
as well as those holding high positions both for 
State and railroads might do well to at least con. 
sider. 

No. 4. 

Railroad officials, and especially those holding 
office, should not be too sensitive, and a little oc- 
casional friendly criticism, instead of being con- 
sidered ofiensive, might ( as it has in many cases ) 
prove profitable both to those criticised and the 
interest they represent. The people and the press 
should be invited to speak to both State and rail- 
road officials in plain language. Those holding 
the positions referred to are neither children nor 
old ladies, and should not be treated as such. They, 
like the people they represent, and whose interest 



(4) 

they are supposed to care for, are but human, and 
are subject to error. 

No. 5. 

Speaking of criticism, we all well know that 
both our people, and those who represent them 
have been, and are to-day, "cussed" and dis- 
cussed, and no doubt often times very severely 
criticised. Perhaps we (the people) are charged 
by those who do not know us, with many things 
that we are not guilty of, and we, (both people and 
their representatives), are not given credit where 
the same is, and has been due. 

No. 6. 

Personal feeling, much less personal interest, 
should not interfere with business. It is suggested 
and believed by many that this has too often been 
the case, and it is thought that it is^ to the best 
interest of all concerned that it is not continued 
or repeated. Regardless of our power, we cannot 
always have our way, and perhaps it as well 
for us, as well as for the balance of mankind, that 
such is the case. We should at all times submit 
to the will and especially the best interests of the 
majority, and it is not business to punish the 
masses for the shortcomings or the actions of the 
few. 

No. 7. 

The State of Texas was made on the broadgauge 
plan, and she should be handled by her people, 
their representatives, and by those who represent 
the railroad interest of our State, in that way — 
that is to say, adopt and put in practice and keep 
it up, a broadgauge and liberal policy. The State, 
her resources and natural advantages will justify 
this. 



(5) 

No. 8. 

Criticism — plain, American English — should 
not be taken as any indication of lack of respect 
for those who hold high offices (either for State or 
railroads), or the great interest they represent. 
It should be taken in the spirit given, which is 
with best wishes for all, with malice toward none, 
and with only the best interest of onr people, 
State and her railroads in view. 

No. 9. 

We will all agree that the good people of Texas, 
and her railroads (with the help of kind Provi- 
dence, who has smiled upon and dealt liberally 
with us), are entitled to the credit of making 
Texas what she is to-day. This point being set- 
tled, it is a self-evident fact, tViat what we need 
(providing we wish to proceed witVi the good 
work) is more good people and railroads. 

No. 10. 

If suggestion No. 9 meets with the hearty ap- 
proval of all, there is then nothing left to be done 
but to go to work and all join hands, pull together, 
recover, as soon as possible, the ground we have 
lost and establish a good reputation, for a State 
with the reputation of ours to-day is a very heavy 
load for our good people to carry. 

No. 11. 

If it is decided that more people and capital 
are desired, the question naturally presents itself : 
How are we to secure either or both? We cannot 
very well get one without the other. No doubt 
many plans could be, and perhaps will be sug- 
gested and advised. It would be well, however, 
to keep the plain and old-time business rule well 
in mind : *' Meet the Competition of others, and 



(6) 

don't depend on natural advantages, " and we will 
add : Be governed by circumstances, and not by 
hobbies, or the influence or advice of others, es- 
pecially that of your competitor. Book and hearsay 
information put in practice will not compete with 
your competitors who are " in the saddle, " or 
with those who " paddle their own canoe. " 
Theory is all well enough to talk and read about, 
but in these days very few can afford to indulge 
in such luxuries. This, perhaps, is worthy of re- 
flection. 

No. 12. 

Speaking of competition, it would be well to un- 
derstand and if possible appreciate what compe- 
tition Texas and her railroads have to meet, and 
it is believed that if this is fully under- 
stood much valuable time will be saved. It is 
also believed that all will see the importance and 
ACTUAL NECESSITY of all Texas being united and 
working in harmony in this great cause. That 
is to say, work Texas as a State, and not merely in 
a local or selfish way. To meet the competition 
referred to we will not have any too much 
strength, and all hands and sections of our great 
state, as well as our railroad oflEicials, with their 
great power, will not be any too much. Even with 
all this combined influence, we will have good cause 
to be thankful if we secure our share of people and 
capital, as against other states that are now and 
have been for years our active, and you might say, 
very lively competitors- 

No. 13. 

It would be a difficult matter for anyone to out- 
line any plan or policy to pursue, that is to say, 
we could not very well decide upon details, but 



(7) 

we can say in a general way that we are going to 
have our State properly represented, and we are go- 
ing into the field for business ; that we mean 
business, and propose to ** fight it out on that line 
if it takes all summer." We should add, "if it 
takes all time to come. " If we decide to talk and 
act in this way, the detaiJs will suggest themselves 
and be easily cared Jor, and we will all be agree- 
ably suprised at the result, and that, too, in the 
near future. First show by our work that we 
have faith in our State, and we will soon have 
many able and willing hands to join us in our 
good and worthy labors. 

No. 14. 

Referring to Suggestion No. 12, to more fully 
explain what is meant by competition, let us un-. 
derstand and bear in mind, that Texas naturally 
comes into competition with other States, Terri- 
tories and sections that are in competition with 
the old and thickly settled States of our own great 
country, as well as that of Europe, for both people 
and capital ; and it is not reasonable nor business 
to expect that we are going to get our share of 
either without an effort, or we will say, without 
meeting competition. Especially is tliis so 
with our present and past reputation, which as we 
well know, we do not deserve ; and we also know 
that a great injustice has been, and is to-day being 
continued, against our State and people, — hence 
the great importance of prompt action. 

No. 15. 

Speaking of reputation, without it, and agood one 
too, neither man, corporation nor State can succeed 
or advance. We have to face facts, be it ever so 
unpleasant ; they are stubborn things and must be 



(8) 

recognized, and if possible, when injurious to any 
interest removed ; to remove these unpleasant facts, 
an effort must be made, if not it will be found that 
delay is very expensive. To be plain, the present 
impression entertained of Texas by people who do 
not know our State, is directly the opposite of facts; 
they connect Texas and her people with everything 
that is sensational, and we might say bad, and 
with very little that is good or worthy ofU.he re- 
spect of good people and the confidence of those 
seeking investments or homes. This is or is not 
the case ; if it be true, it is of importance enough 
to us that are here, to at least investigate. To the 
writer, it is plain that such an impression exists, 
and were he not satisfied of it, it certainly would 
not be written, much less talked of. 

No. 16. 

Referring to No. 15, we will state, and firmly 
believe that many will agree with us, that if the 
present reputation of Texas with those living in 
other States was justified by the facts, there are 
very few of us who are here now (and who have 
been here some time) who would remain longer 
in the State than it would take us to get out of it. 
No, gentlemen ; we would not live ! We, who 
love order and obey laws; we, who build 
and encourage churches,, schools, universities, 
colleges, and all such institutions, as well as help 
build railroadp, and encourage and assist all legiti- 
mate enterprises ; we, who love our families, and 
are and have been endeavoring (and many have 
succeeded) to provide for their present and future 
happiness and welfare, as well as the love and 
pride we have for our State. We would not, did 
we not have faith in the future of Texas, remain 
here longer than we could possibly settle up and 



(9) 

select a location or home elsewhere- The best 
evidence that we have been and are being mis- 
represented, is the fact .of our living and being 
here to-day, and if others knew Texas as we do, 
we could scarcely keep them from coming here. 

No. 17. 

The fact of having done what we have seems 
wonderful. With our reputation, and without 
any united efibrt on the part of our people and 
railroads, having had no competition worthy of 
the name between our diflerent lines for some 
years past, and considering the class of men we 
have had tilling the soil — who are good men, but 
weak financially, and lack the experience neces- 
sary to be successful in a prairie country — to say 
nothing of the conflicting of the different inter- 
ests, referring especially to that of the range stock 
men and that of the tiller of the soil. This, how- 
ever, is gradually disappearing, and there is to-day 
more harmony and a more "pnll- together" feeling 
between the "cattle king" and the "man with the 
hoe" than there has ever been in the past, all of 
'• Inch is pleasant to note. Yes, gentlemen of Texas, 
as well as those who are not here, all things con- 
sidered, it is simply wonderful, and it speaks vol- 
umes for our great State, to think and to know 
that we have done as well as we have, and all 
should feel proud of and have renewed confidence 
in Texas. 

No. 18. 

V 

Texas, properly represented and worked for as 
other States and sections have been, would sur- 
prise the world. She would support from three to 
five times her present papulation and industries, 
and would not then be over-crowded or over- 
stocked, and she would carrv her neoDle with 



(10) 

pleasure and profit to them and to herself ; while 
as it is now, she is a heavy load for her people to 
carry. 

No. 19. 

" All that glitters is not gold." 

It is also true that what to some looks like fail- 
ure, and we might say wreck, does not always in- 
dicate RUIN ; to those, however, who are not fully 
posted, it looks discouraging and anything but 
inviting. For instance, strangers in coming to 
Texas, after seeing the condition of our railroads 
and learning of their financial condition, which is, 
and has been in some cases, bankruptcy, they 
have come to the conclusion that the State of Texas 
is not a profitable field for railroads, and they 
reason that if railroads don't make expenses 
it might be a poor field for capital 
generally. Many people judge a country by the 
railroads, the condition of the same, the accommo- 
dations received and their appearance and man- 
agement generally. Strangers do not, perhaps, 
take into consideration the fact that without 
competition things generally lag, or in other 
words, become sluggish ; especially is this the, 
case with railroads, and when this does happen, 
the same inactivity or lack of life and spirit be- 
comes general throughout the country, and it can 
be noticed in all lines of business, from farming to 
merchandising, and we will add, manufacturing, 
etc. The strangers, or would-be-settlers, and 
investors, whom we (the people) would like very 
much to have receive a good, or at least fair im- 
pression and knowledge of our State, see but one 
side of the question. '*One story is good till the 
other side is told." It is an exception when they 
get both. The prospector don't know that our 



(11) 

railroads are taxed heavily to supply cars enough 
' to handle the business offered ; that often times we 
have a *'car famine" as they have in the old and 
thickly populated States ; that we can scarcely 
'care for the business offered, much less work up 
or develop new business not yet thought of either by 
our people or the railroad officials. The would-be 
home seeker, perhaps, does not know that the 
passenger business of Texas roads will compare favor- 
ably with that of those in many of the older and 
what is considered much wealthier States. It 
could hardly be expected that a visitor could or 
would learn both sides of the situation in simply 
passing through or over our State. The traveler, 
or home seeker, takes a birds-eye view, sizes up 
things in a general way, and soon makes up his 
mind one way or the other, and if he does, (which 
he is very apt to), judge our State in general by 
our railroads, and their condition and manage- 
ment in general, he will come to. the conclusion 
that he don't wish any Texas in his. If this be 
the case, it certainly affects quite seriously, both 
the interest of the people of Texas and the rail- 
roads in it. This is considered worthy of special 
consideration, and if we of Texas, will place our- 
selves in the place of a disinterested party travel- 
ing through or over Texas, we can no doubt come 
to a conclusion. The condition, management, 
etc., referred to does not, however, apply to all 
lines in the State ; this can and will readily be 
seen both by citizens of Texas and visitors ; atten- 
tion is simply called to it here, that none need take 
offence. It /is intended, urged, and especially 
requested, that credit be given where it is due^ 
not only to the railroads* but also to the people 
, and their representatives. 



(12) 

No. 20. - 

The Game of "freeze-out" is a well known 
Game by most people, and it is and has been, 
played very successfully in many sections of our 
country. Tliere are some sections that the said 
Game if played does not seriously affect the 
masses, the working: man or the man of small 
and limited means, that is to say, the man who is' 
and has been struggling to secure for himself and 
family a home (and there are many that hardly, 
aspire to that), thof^e would be thankful to be 
able to make a living for the present, with the 
hopes that some time in the future they may 
have a place that they can call Home. Ther^; 
are many of this class in Texas to-day, and they 
are good and valuable citizens, and would ad^ 
much to the growth and developement of the: 
State, providing they are not *' frozen out. " In 
the " freezing-out " Game many valuable men 
have been and may yet be lost to Texas, hence it 
is suggested that old and thickly settled, and we 
will say finished States, can stand the " freezing- 
out" process much better and not affect the class 
of people herein referred to as seriously as it will, 
and does in our State. Perhaps a remedy fc \ 
this Game, some may call it an evil, might be_ 
suggested. 

No. 21. 

Should Texas ever be known and understood by 
the people in our sister States, as well as those iu: 
Europe, there are railroads now extending in this, 
direction, as well as those who are already here, 
that would extend and build rapidly. We can 
also safely predict that roads that are not yet con- 
sidered or thought of in connection with Texas, 
would soon be coming our way. This, however; 



(13) 

?jaight not suit some people, but, it is safe to say, 
it would suit at least the majoritj' of our citizens, 
{^nd they are entitled to some little consideration ; 
and we might go further and predict that the 
building of new railroads, extending of the old 

. lines, etc- , would naturally bring to our State in- 
creased population and capital, as well as many 

. good things not yet thought of, in the way of fac- 
tories, etc., that would work up our raw material, of 

' .which we have so much. All of which would be 
very desirable and satisfactory to our people and. 

• 'i.liose yet to come, who have now and will then 
. have but one interest to guard, and that is, as we 

'all know, Texas. Yes, Texas, first, last ahd all the 
time. We cannot *' hedge/' so to speak, having no 
interest to speak of outside of our State. This is 
especially intended for the citizens of Texas and 
those who have the honor to represent them and 

.THEIR GREAT STATE . 

No. 22. 

Speaking of "questionable practices" in securing 
^and working for business, etc., (please see the 
Houston Post of Dec. 8th, 1887.) 

By some people it may be considered a ''ques- 
ftionable practice" to pay for what they get, that is 

• to pay value received for any work done or bus- 
iness secured, while to others it is considered 

business not to expect something for nothing, and 
' especially so when your competitors are willing to 

and do pay for any and all business given them. 

Again there are many high-toned and honorable 
, gentlemen, (who stand to-day, and have stood for 

years at the head of their profession, and have 

• been very successful in their line of business, viz: 
that of the passenger and immigration, who have, 
and do yet, believe in paying for businsss given 



(14) 

their respective lines, and directed to and through 
the country which the same pass through or lead 
to. And again the gentlemen who receive the 
compensation referred to, are well worthy of con- 
sideration and respect, and were it not proper and 
legitimate for those gentlemen to receive pay for 
their work, it is believed that they would not 
accept, under any consideration whatever, the 
compensation referred to and said by the said 
Post, to be a questionable practice. And again, 
gentlemen, let us please consider the fact that 
there are many of our best and most prominent 
merchants, as well as those engaged in the real 
estate and other legitimate pursuits or business, who 
believe in paying for any work or favors received, 
that is to say they pay in proportion to the work 
done, and business secured ; to be plain and un- 
derstood by all railroad officials, railroad agents, 
and the public in general, who are directly interested 
in this matter, and many of whom have been 
severally criticised, if not insulted, by the article 
referred to in the Houston Post, are actually 
charged with '* questionable practices,^' and the 
attention of the officials of railroads, who have 
seen fit to pay a commission for business received 
for their respective lines, will no doubt feel some" 
what surprised, and at least will not or could not 
be expected to feel friendly to a paper, or the state 
in which such a paper is printed, and not called to 
task by the press of the state in general, for such 
abuse, when none has been deserved. 

As we started out to state and to make it plain 
to all, the custom and practice of paying com- 
missions not only on ticket sales, but on sales of 
merchandise, land, and in fact most any and all 
things, is in existence to-day, has been heretofore, 
and no doubt will continue to be for all time to 



.(15) 

ij come. Yes, and by as good and moral people as 
we have in Texas or any other state in our great 

' glorious American country, and we can say the 
same of those who receive said commissions. 
'^' Perhaps the Houston Post can make some satis- 
^^ factory explanation to those gentlemen whom they 
t have so severely criticised ; it is to be hoped so, at 
.^ least. To the general reader this paragraph may 
not be of interest, as they may not fully under- 

' stand its importance. There are, however, some 
' of our officials and citizens who may find it 
■interesting reading. If so, and they profit by it, it 
' will justify the space and time given to it, and if 

acted upon, the people of Texas and the State will 

.be benefited very much. 

)^ No. 23. 

Sneaking of the payment of commissions, and 
,' referring especially to those paid to foreign 
' railroad agents and agents of connecting lines, 
/leaving the merchants and others to do as they 
, please — which they will do any way — if there is 
^^any one thing that a railroad built and run 
, through a sparsely settled country can well aflbrd 
to pay for, it would be for the securing for that 
•/ line of road and the country through which it 
runs immigration — people. With that road it is 
^ PEOPLE OR RUIN to those who invested their 
money in it, as well as to those who would natur- 
ally drift to that section with the expectation that 
^ others would soon follow, which will not be the 
case unless that line of road works for and is will- 
« ing to pay for business the same as roads do to 
other sections and states. If people and capi- 
' tal can be had for Texas with high rates and no 
^commissions, in fact, we will say by no special ef- 
fort, by all means get them, and get all you can in 



(16 ) 

the way of rates, and don't pay a cent for securing 
the business, but that kind of work, it is sug- 
gested, has been tried, and up to the present writ- 
ing has failed to bring the people and capital so 
much desired in our business. It might be well 
to consider the fact that what is good in one and 
for one section will not do for another. We have 
to be guarded by circumstances. Take, for in- 
scance, an old and thickly settled State, with its 
railroads all in first-class order, "gilt-edge," so to 
speak. W4th such a State and with railroads in 
the condition7 named a close and what is called a 
conservative policy might be practiced with profit, 
and while this may be so in some such cases, it 
has not proven a success in all. The fact is, now- 
a-days the railroad that does not cater to the pub- 
lic and meet it half-way will sooner or later feel 
the effects. Now we will take a State like ours, 
and the railroads in their present condition. Can 
we afford to stand on ceremony and be more con- 
servative than others who are much stronger than 
we are, but still have a more liberal and progres- 
sive policy than we ever have been favored with? 
You can not successfully work Texas and her rail- 
roads as you would Pennsylvania or Ohio and 
their railroads, and we might just as well decide 
this question and have an understanding before 
going to work, should we conclude to do so. 

No. 34. 

In Texas it has not been popular to work or 
even say anything favorable for any other section 
than that in which we live; that is to say, we 
seldom if ever look beyond our own town, city or 
county, and if a man is known to be in favor of, 
or should intimate that there is yet as good land 
anoccupied as any of that which is, he is branded 



(17) 

as a*' land boomer," ''a corner-lot fie»d," " land 
shark," etc. Now this, it is suggested, is not as it 
should be, it is true that some of our people and 
railroad officials, that are generally considered in 
Texas as progressive, would in some States and 
sections be classed the reverse of that, and might 
be called drones in the community. If we cannot 
earnestly and heartily recommend Texas as a good 
State for home-seekers and capital to come to, ^e 
should not work'^at all ; it is cruel, if not criminal, 
to do just work enough to induce a few people to 
come to our State, and especially to the thinly- 
settled portions of it and not make an effort to 
bring others in to assist and encourage the few. 
The few that have come from time to time since 
railroad competition has been dispensed with, 
naturally expected that Texas and her railroads 
would "keep up with the procession." This they 
find to their sorrow has not been done, and they 
naturally feel sad and discouraged, and regret 
coming to Texas. Should we, however, wake up 
from our present sleep, which has been at least a 
five years' nap, we will put life and new courage 
in the hearts of those good people, and they will 
not only remain with us, but will in the near 
future induce their relatives, friends and acquaint- 
ances to follow them. 

No. 25. 

If we, all hands, those representing all interests 
as well as the public in general, will pause for a. 
moment and consider what working for immigra- 
tion and passenger business is, they will be able to 
get some little id^a of what is meant by competi- 
tion. If they will notice the effort now being 
made in Texas by the officials and agents who 
represent lines in the Sautneastern f^t&teB, just oA 



(18) 

this time our State is alive with these gentlemen. 
Not only the traveling passenger agents, but the 
general agents are, and have been "in the saddle" 
for the past two weeks, and many will remain in 
our State, while others are located here perma- 
nently. All will continue to work up to, and 
including the last day the low rate tickets are 
sold. In addition to their being here, those gen" 
tlemen have with them tons of printed matter, 
advertising the fact that they have the low rate 
for those who wish to avail themselves of this 
opportunity to visit or return to their old homes. 
We have been told by our railroad officials that 
we (Texas) had the same opportunity a few 
months past in the Southeastern States, and the 
same inducements were offered to the people in 
that section to come to Texas; this is all very well 
as far as it goes, but let us ask the question, how 
did the effort made in that section by Texas rail- 
road officials and agents compare with the present 
effort being made by their brother railroad officials 
and traveling agents (in Texas) of the Southeast ? 
We will say, without fear of contradiction, that 
the effort of the latter as compared to that of our 
officials and agents, would be like that of a great, 
strong, robust, healthy and well developed man, 
who would weigh at least two hundred pounds, 
and that of a poor, sickly, delicate child, scarcely 
able to crawl. It matters not how good the cause, 
or how much merit it may possess, it really 
amounts to but little unless it is worked — 
^'pushed" is the word generally used and put in 
practice by those who "get there with both feet," 
so to speak, now-a-days- •' 

No. 26. 

To secure immigration and capital, as well as a 
s^are of passenger business generally, and to 



(19) 

meet ihe competition of others, it is necessary to 
have passenger men in full control of that depart- 
ment with power to act. 

No. 27. 

For the freight business of any line, and 
especially that of a line which runs through a 
thinly settled portion of country, to hold its own, 
or we will say increase, as it certainly should and 
is expected to, it is actually a necessity for the 
passenger department of such line to have full 
control of their department, for without people, 
little or no freight can be looked for ; to be plain, 
it requires people to produce freight, and it re- 
quires a well organized and thoroughly aggressive 
passenger department and agencies to secure the 
people and capital. 

No. 28. 

Again referring to reputation, the patient reader 
may think this a hobby of the writer's, and possi- 
bly see fit to criticise severely the subscriber for 
having so much to say about ''reputation." How" 
ever, as the cost of presenting these few sug- 
gestions is borne by the writei', and there is no law 
to compel anyone to spend any time reading them 
we will repeat that "honors are easy" on this score 
as well as that of the railroads and the people 
( See Suggestion No. 1 ). But to business. It is 
suggested that Texas, with a good reputation, such 
as she is entitled to, means for Texas at least five 
million population, and improvements generally in 
proportion, and that in the near future; it 
means that instead of cities of from ten to forty 
thousand people, as we have to-day, we will have 
cities of from fifty to one hundred and fifty thous- 
and population. It means that what are towns to- 



(20) 

day will soon grow into cities. It means that 
what are small villages to-day /will soon grow 
to be good-sized and prosperous towns. It means 
that where there is to-day nothing but a side-track 
and perhaps a section-house called a station on our 
different lines of railroads, will take life and soon 
become a trading and distributing point for the sur- 
rounding country, etc., etc. We might go on and 
fill volumes trying to show what the result of a 
good reputation for Texas would be, but we have 
some little feeling left for our readers, and will not 
inflict them any more than is thought necessary. 
We will, howlever, take the liberty to suggest that 
it would be safe to predict that with anything like 
the success that other states have met with, those 
who had the benefit of competition by railroads, 
etc., and have kept up with the times generally, 
we could reasonably expect that Texas would 
secure deep water at least at one of her many good 
ports along her coast, and we all know how much 
this is desired and hoped for by one and all of 
our people. Yes, gentlemen, settle your unoccu- 
pied lands with good people and you will be sur- 
prised to see how many good things will follow • 
Is it worth the effort? 

No. 29. 

Speaking of deep water, etc., for Texas, while all 
this would suit and much please all who feel an 
interest in Texas, it would be well to bear in mind 
that this prosperity of Texas might not please 
some people. Please bear in mind as we go along, 
there are many jealous, if not selfish people in 
this cold business world of ours, and what would 
suit us could not be expected to please all. Our 
business and other troubles are nothing to others, 
no more than their' s is to us, that is to say, we 



(2n 

must expect to care for, foster and protect our own 
interest, and not look to others to do it for us. By 
doing this we will soon have others to join and 
assist us. There are those who no doubt could, or 
would at least, see that deep water for Texas would 
attract capital in this direction, and that might 
conflict with their interest. Business men of 
eastern ports could easily see that anything that 
would tend to draw capital and people to the 
south-west, or even to the south-east, would 
naturally be a step towards bringing to the front 
such ports as we now have on the Texas coast, to 
say nothing of those of Mobile, Pensacola, 
New Orleans, etc. 

No. 30. 

It is respectfully suggested and urged that no 
valuable time be lost in pleading excuses and lay- 
ing blame on one another, making promises, etc., 
but that we take action at once, or decide that we 
are doing well enough as we are, and let it oro at 
that. Lack of action is unsatisfactory and any- 
thing but profitable. Let us decide on something 
definite. 

No. 31. 

Give us competition among and with our rail- 
roads. **Side-track" all the past except that which 
is pleasant to talk of and refer to for our best 
interest. Let us not deal in ancient history — leave 
that for the old folks to amuse the children with, 
if they feel so disposed. Let us be up and doing, 
and we will all be happy and content. There is 
in Texas as good material to carry on the good work 
commenced as there is in the world. Their work is 
the only evidence required to convince any and 
all, friends and rivals alike, of this fact. Bring 
the people — home-seekers and capitalists — on the 



(22) 

ground and let them see and be convinced, and all 
will be well. Give us low rates, and printers' ink in 
abundance ; this, with the assistance of the press, 
and nothing but a plain statement of facts is re- 
quired, expected, or should be tolerated. This, 
with a full appreciation of our State by our own 
people, will put us before the world as we should 
be, and secure for us the confidence and respect 
of all law-abiding people, as well as those of means 
and influence. Will we make the effort to accom- 
plish this or are we satisfied with our present 
condition, reputation and affairs generally ? The 
writer for one at least will speak for himself, arid 
say, that much is yet to be done to make Texas 
what she should and was intended to be, and he 
is willing and ready to contribute his mite to that 
end, believing that all can and should join in this 
good work, though being one of the weak, finan- 
cially speaking. We will also add that no claim 
is made to be able to do justice to this great and 
important subject, but thinking and earnestly hop- 
ing that some abler pen or mind than that of your 
humble servant and fellow-citizen might possibly 
find some hint or suggestion in the foregoing 
worthy of thought and consideration ; if so, take 
the subject up and do it justice. The man who 
does this and succeeds in bringing all interests to 
work in harmony, as one, as it should be, will be, 
to say the least, a public benefactor. 

No. 32. 

The writer has in mind a certain Traffic Asso- 
ciation, as well as the statee, people and railroads 
over which said Traflfic Association presides, that 
could very consistently insert the name of the 
association, the state and railroads where Texas 
appears in No. 33, and apply it to their section 



(23) 

and association ; that is that part of which refers to 
'•quarantine," "questionable practices," etc. The 
south and south-eastern states have been kept in 
the shade just as Texas has been with Hobbies, 
"Sunday school ideas," "Reform movements,*' 
etc., instead of knowing their competition and 
meeting the same as business men should and do 
elsewhere. If the south and south-eastern states 
and Texas had been properly represented and 
generally known as it is, and not misrepresented 
as it has been and is to-day, there is no telling 
what their population and capital would be. It 
certainly would far exceed that of the west and 
north-western states. 

No. 33. 

Neutrality will perhaps do in some cases, but 
when it comes to a man, corporation or State taking 
care of and protecting his, their or its interest as 
against competition, it is a very **lame duck" ; it 
will not work, gentlemen. The people of Texas 
are not neutral in dividing their business and 
working for their State ; they do not spend half 
or two-thirds of their time in working and caring 
for Kansas, California, Colorado, etc.; with them 
it is Texas straight. 

We are told by the Houston Post that the ditfer- 
ent roads of Texas have in the field working for 
Texas, from five to twenty agents each. This 
looks very nice on paper, but it will not hold 
water. Give us light, gentlemen ; both sides of 
the question, if you please. For instance, we will 
say one of the lines named by the Post ir\ its issue 
of December 8, 1887, has ten agents in the field 
working for Texas. That looks very well, and no 
doubt many think that those agents are working 
Texas straight. The people of Texas are now, and 



(24) 

have been, giving all their business to the Texas 
roads, and working for the interests of their State 
generally, and that only. Now, let us see how 
much time the ten agents referred to spend in 
working for Texas. It is, 1 think, perfectly safe 
to say, that out of the ten men there is not the 
work and time of one man given exclnsively-^to 
Texas. Those gentlemen are working like all 
others, going with the tide, and devoting their 
time and attention to meeting the opposition of 
other States and sections. To be plain and fully 
understood, should any of the gentlemen referred 
to, hear of a party going to California, Kansas or 
Colorado, they will go to them and talk Kansas or 
Colorado, which ever it may be, and it is a chance 
if Texas is ever mentioned any more than, per- 
haps, that if going to California you pass through 
it. But with our present reputation, that is not 
much of an attraction, and it is doubtful if it is 
talked much. Now, gentlemen, what is or should 
be considered working for Texas straight, is this 
(if you are properly informed): Should a Texas 
agent learn of a party of people, tourists, land or 
home seekers, or investment hunters, going to 
any other section than that of Texas, 
he should, and would if he was working 
Texas straight, go and see or send a sub-agent to 
those people and present Texas to them as it 
should be, and if necessary offer some in- 
ducement to have them at least come and 
see Texas. This is the kind of work that was 
done for Texas before competitipn was dispensed 
with and "that was about five years ago. This is 
especially the case with lines leading from St. 
Louis, However, about two years ago there was 
an extra effort made to quarantine people and 

capital from coming to Texas. This, perhaps, 



(25) 

was not the way the order read, and it certainly 
did not read that wa}' to the people of Texas, or 
they would have kicked out of the harness. We 
will be liberal and say that perhaps it was not 
intended or expected that said order ( we call it 
an order — pefhaps it should be called a circular) 
would in any way affect Texas. It did, however^ 
and very seriously, too. It is the results that 
count, and not the details. There were at that 
time some little protests entered by the press of 
Texas against this *' quarantine order" being en- 
forced, but the mild protest soon died out. The 
people or press did not see "Cn*^ know the import- 
ance of the hobby, or *' reform movement, " call 
it what you will ; it has been given many names 
at different times ; the latest is .^'questionable 
practice. " It was called a quarantine order when 
it was issued, and it has had the effect of keeping 
people and capital out of Texas. We are inclined 
to believe that that is the most appropriate name 
for it. . 

No. 34. 

To the gentlemen of Texas, who have in the 
past, and do to-day, make a specialty of stock- 
raising, who are sometimes given the title of 
"cattle kings," it is respectfully suggested and 
firmly believed by ttie subscriber that an increase 
of population to Texas means for them better 
times* It is a fact, well known, not only by the 
people of Texas, but also by those of all other 
states, and we will add Europe, that the cattle in- 
terest of our state has not been for some time past, 
and is not to-day what it should be. This is 
regretted by all classes of people of our state, as 
well as by many" who are not citizens^of Texas. 
An increased 'population naturally means an in- 



(26) 

creased demand for not only beef, but for stock 
cattle, and with an increase of population, we can 
safely predict an increase of capital. Is it not safe 
to say that with an increase of capital we will have 
a better chance to secure a home market, both for 
beef and stock generally ? As we all know, Texas 
is a fine field for refrigerators in connection with 
slaughter and stock yards, such as they now have 
at Kansas City, Chicago, etc The one and only 
thing required to give to Texas this enterprise, is 
Capital, and it is believed that can easily be se- 
cured by placing Texas to the front rank, where 
she should be. This, with an increase of " beef 
eaters," will add much to our present home con- 
sumption. Again, should we draw people from 
the middle, eastern and north-western states, we 
will secure many who will engage in '* stock- 
farming;" that is, combine stock-raising and 
farming together. There are many who would 
not care to own over from to one three sections of 
land and would want stock enough to stock 
the same. This wonld produce buyers for 
from fifty to say two hundred head of stock, 
each, and as demand regulates prices, it 
seems but natural that the stock interest would be 
benefited, if not revived to quite an extent. We 
will all admit that the days for range stock busi- 
ness are numbered among the past. There are at 
present, to say nothing of the future, too many 
small farmers, and too much " stock farming" is 
being done for the best interest of the range 
stockmen. At least this is the condition in many 
sections where a few years since the interest re- 
ferred to had a full swing — unlimited range, so to 
speak — and judging the future py the past, it will 
be a year older and less range each year. Then 
the thought suggests itself that a change is grad- 



(27): 

ually growing in the situation. The gentlemen 
who represent this great interest will do, and of 
course know best about this matter, and can speak 
and act for themselves. The writer never having 
had actual experience in the range stock business, 
can only speak from observation and from what 
little information he has been able to gather from 
disinterested parties. It is hoped, however, that 
it will be to the interest of the gentlemen to 
whom this paragraph or suggestion is especially 
and respectfully submitted, to assist and join all 
other interests in the present movement, the ob- 
ject of which is to encourage people and capital 
to come to Texas. The said interest will be well 
represented at the Texas State Immigration Meet- 
ing, to be held at Dallas on the 20th inst . 

No. 35. ^ 

THERE IS NO CONFLICT. 

There seems to be an idea in some quarters that 
there is a coijflict between the people and the rail- 
roads in this matter, and, as a consequence, the 
railroads are being censured. This is a mistake. 
There is no conflict. The people are simply ask- 
ing the railroads to join hands with them in the 
great work of settling and developing the State, 
the result of which would most certainly be bene- 
ficial alike to the State, as the cities cannot grow 
nor the population and wealth increase very fast 
without immigration, and as to the railroads, it 
takes population to make business. The people 
of Texas are willing to be liberal with the railroads, 
and will go so far as to admit that they are in- 
debted to them. The best way to pay that debt 
is to go to work and co-operate with the people 
in the bringing of immigration to the State, as the 
work of the people in this direction must be fruit- 



(28) 

less without the assistance of the railroads. There 
are people whose judgment is worthy of respect, 
who believe and claim that they have evidence of 
the fact that the State and people have dealt very 
liberally towards the railroads, but it is a lamenta- 
ble fact that corporations as well as individuals, 
frequently forget past favors, and sometimes even 
contracts. It is a well known fact that Texas has 
given to several of her railroads several sections 
of her best land for every mile of road they built. 
Now, this land was given in the expectation that 
the roads receiving it would induce people to settle 
on it. But, be this as it may, there are many peo- 
ple who would regard the transaction as a contract. 
It is also a well-known fact that the State has not 
rested here. It has from time to time made 
efforts, spent money and sent representatives into 
the field to solicit immigration, and perhaps had 
the State been assisted and encouraged by the 
railroads, much more money would have been 
spent and more labor of the same kind exerted in 
the same direction. Speaking of the Kansas 
exhibit at the Centennial at Philadelphia, it is 
true that Texas did not spend any great amount 
of money to be represented there, but the State 
was ably represented there by Governor Hubbard, 
who offset thousands of dollars invested in ex- 
hibits by other States. Governor Hubbard's 
speech did more to give outsiders a correct impres- 
sion of Texas than anything done before or since. 
More than this, some of the biggest railroad 
officials of the State used it as immigration ammu- 
nition, and in pamphlet form, distributed the 
same all over the eastern and middle portion of 
the United States and in Europe, and the results 
of this were quickly seen. Immigration and 
capital poured in from quarters where previously 



(29) 

the people had no intention of coming to Texas ^ 
and the good work did not cease until the compe- 
tition between the railroads ceased. The connect- 
ing lines of the Texas lines, like all other railroads, 
are always ready to cater to the business, and 
when this immigration movement is once started 
all these roads will be found pulling with Texas, 
for nothing succeeds like success. When a man 
or State is in prosperity, everybody is ready to 
help him or it, but when in adversity, everybody 
is ready with a kick. 

No. Finis. 

The attention of the reader as well as that of the 
general public, is called to the fact that our rail- 
road~T>fficials, from the highest to the lowest, are 
simply "hired men," so to speak, and this and 
nothing more or less, carrying ouflbhe instructions 
and policy of those who employ them, therefore 
nothing personal should be indulged in. If said 
policy should be criticised, the officials cannot 
consider it a personal attack on them. It is 
but natural that those employed to carry out a 
policy or instruction would not only do so, but 
defend the same if necessary. The officials re- 
ferred to will take care of their part of the 
business. Has and does the past and presen; 
policy of our railroads suit the people of Texas ? 

There may be some few who think they have 
been criticised a little too freely, or perhaps they 
might say too severely. It is suggested that any- 
hing said herein would be considered compliment - 
ary notices as compared to what has been said of 
our people and their representatives from time to 
time, and what might be said of those we refer to 



(30) 

should we undertake to criticise. Pleaae don't 
be too sensitive, gentlemen. 

Both people and press are at liberty to criticise 
the foregoing as their best judgment may dictate, 
and should either desire the name of the author it 
will not take a search-warrant to find him or secure 
his'name and address. 





CONTTKNTS. 



Page. 

Railroads and Railroad Officials 3 

Criticism and Personal Feeling 4 

People Wanted — Plans 5 

Competition 6 

Reputation 7 

Misrepresentation 8 

Wonderful Success — Great Possibilities . • 9 

"All that Glitters is not Gold " 10 

Home and Investment Hunters ...... 11 

"A Game of Freeze-out " 12 

'* Questionable Practices" 13 

Ticket Agents, Etc 14 

Commissions, Etc 15 

Not Popular to Work for Texas -16 

Unite All Interests 17 

To General Passenger Agents, Etc 18 

To General Freight Agents, Etc 19 

Deep Water for Texas '. . . . 20 

Pleading Excuses, Etc 21 

A Certain Traffic Association 22 

Neutrality, Etc 28 

Texas Straight 24 

" Cattle Kings " 25-26 

There is no Conflict 27 

Gov. Hubbard, Etc 28 

'•Hired Men," Etc 29 

" Search Warrant" 30 



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